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Doctor's Best Best Astaxanthin supplies natural astaxanthin, an exceptionally valuable carotenoid nutrient, along with other naturally occurring carotenoids. Astaxanthin is an ultrapotent antioxidant with unique effects on cell membranes that manage important life functions. This action is linked to clinically proven benefits for the circulation and for vision, immunity, and overall well-being. Doctor's Best is pleased to offer this breakthrough nutrient at clinical potency.

Versatile cell membrane and whole body protectant

Supports healthy blood flow and vessel integrity

Promotes healthy, integrated immune response

The body cannot make astaxanthin. It is made by algae, and moves up the food chain when the algae are consumed as food. It gives the red color to seafoods such as salmon, trout, crab, shrimp, lobster, and krill, but these astaxanthin foods are not common in most diets. Doctor's Best is pleased to offer this nutrient in its natural form, as a solvent-free concentrate from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, and at full clinical potency.

All cells have membranes, and membranes manage most of the processes important for life. Every cell membrane is an ultrathin, extended, double molecular sheet of lipids, into which are inserted enzymes and other catalytic proteins. The proteins' metabolic activities unavoidably generate highly reactive "free radicals" of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or carbon within the membrane or at its surface. The astaxanthin in cell membranes helps protect against all such byproducts of normal metabolism.

The most common threats to membrane integrity are oxygen free radicals (oxyradicals, for short). Astaxanthin's ability to protect against oxyradicals was clearly illustrated in an experiment with rofecoxib. This pharmaceutical is known to cause oxyradicals to initiate reactions that destroy membranes (called "peroxidation"). In experiments with membranes created in the laboratory, astaxanthin totally blocked rofecoxib's damage and actually switched the membrane into anti-peroxidative balance.

Astaxanthin also fights free radicals differently from most other antioxidants. Rather than donate electrons, as most antioxidants do, astaxanthin neutralizes radicals by taking electrons from them. This property gives the astaxanthin molecule better stability than other antioxidants, and therefore it can remain active longer in the membrane. Astaxanthin's membrane presence very likely provides backup for the more delicate membrane antioxidants such as tocopherols (vitamin E) and ubiquinone ("CoQ").

Mitochondria are our microscopic energy powerhouses. They have two membranes crammed with proteins that specialize in making energy (ATP). Mitochondria make over 90% of the body's energy, using over 85% of the body's oxygen supply. But these oxygen molecules are highly reactive and a small percentage become oxyradicals. Some are neutralized by antioxidant enzymes, but others escape to directly attack the mitochondrial membranes or to propagate other reactive molecules that do damage.

Experimental studies indicate astaxanthin conserves and promotes the critical bioenergy function of mitochondria. In a study with dogs and cats, astaxanthin given by mouth became more concentrated in the membranes of the mitochondria than in other cell membranes. In experiments with cultured cells astaxanthin lowered the mitochondria's oxyradical production rate and at concentrations achievable in the body by dietary supplementation. Astaxanthin also increased the mitochondria's resistance to toxic challenge and even increased their ATP energy output.

Supports Memory and Other Higher Brain Functions

In a small clinical trial, astaxanthin was shown to improve memory and other higher brain functions ("cognition"). Ten healthy men aged 50-69 who had been complaining of forgetfulness received astaxanthin at 12 mg per day for 12 weeks. On computerized cognition tests their attention, memory and other cognitive functions improved significantly, as did their stimulus response time. Various other experimental studies support these findings.

Astaxanthin at human physiological levels improved the memory and learning performance of mice in water maze tests. In cultured nerve cells it protected the mitochondria against oxyradical attack, and the cell as a whole against attack from outside toxins. Astaxanthin also stimulated cultured stem cells to mature into functioning nerve cells.

Improves Vision and Relieves Eye Fatigue

Astaxanthin has been extensively researched in Japan for its support of vision. In several double blind and other clinical trials, published in Japanese, astaxanthin at 6 mg per day significantly improved visual sharpness in healthy volunteers (reviewed in Yuan, 201123 and Kajita, 200924). Other trials published in English show astaxanthin also can relieve eye fatigue and vision problems related to aging.

Extended work at computer monitors is known to cause eyestrain, blurring and other vision problems. One double blind trial compared astaxanthin (5 mg per day) versus a placebo, against eyestrain in young Japanese VDT (visual display terminal) workers. Astaxanthin significantly improved eye muscle accommodation, which closely equated to relief from eyestrain. In another clinical trial astaxanthin (6 mg per day, for 4 weeks) significantly improved eye muscle functions in middle-aged subjects. Eyestrain improved, as did related symptoms including difficulty to see near objects, blurred vision, and shoulder and low back stiffness.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Astaxanthin can improve the human blood lipid profile. In a double blind, placebo-controlled trial on subjects with high triglyceride levels, astaxanthin (at 6 mg or 12 mg per day for 12 weeks) significantly elevated HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, an effect consistent with lowering of cardiovascular risk. Astaxanthin taken at 12 mg per day also significantly lowered triglycerides and increased blood adiponectin levels. Adiponectin is a hormone that is produced by adipose tissue and helps regulate healthy insulin sensitivity, healthy inflammatory response, and heart health.

As people age their red blood cells can become more susceptible to free radical attack. This can impair the red cell oxygen carrying capacity and potentially compromise oxygen supply to the tissues. In a 2011 double blind trial, healthy subjects aged 50-69 years received either astaxanthin (at 6 or 12 mg per day), or a placebo, for 12 weeks. Compared to placebo, astaxanthin significantly lowered hydroperoxides (oxyradical products) in the red cells and the plasma. The 6 mg dose worked just as well as did the 12 mg dose.

Promotes Healthy, Integrated Immune Response

Astaxanthin promotes healthy immune competence. In a 2010 double blind trial, young healthy women received astaxanthin at a 2, or 8 mg per day dose for 8 weeks. Astaxanthin at 2 mg per day significantly increased the total T cell numbers, while the 8 mg per day dose significantly increased natural killer cell activity, enhanced lymphocyte proliferation in response to stimulation, and enhanced the skin delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to injected tuberculin. From these findings the researchers concluded astaxanthin promoted both cell mediated and antibody mediated immunity, and promoted immune competence overall.

Astaxanthin can improve immune balance in the skin. In a double blind trial, subjects with troubling skin immune hypersensitivities received astaxanthin (12 mg per day) or a placebo, for 4 weeks. Astaxanthin proved significantly more effective than placebo at improving symptoms related to overall quality of life, and the associated feelings of anxiety. DNA damage (as urine 8- OHdG) also was significantly reduced, a further indication of astaxanthin's protective efficacy in humans.

Counters Oxidative Stress Related to Aging

A 2009 trial recruited postmenopausal women aged 65 years or younger, and selected 20 of them with above-average oxidative stress-a relative excess of free radical activity over antioxidant capacity, as measured in their blood. These women then received astaxanthin (12 mg per day) for 12 weeks. Astaxanthin significantly increased their blood antioxidant capacity, and lowered their systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The group reported significant improvement of "tired eyes," "stiff shoulders," "constipation," and "cold skin," and "difficulty in falling asleep."

Astaxanthin's capacity to counter free radicals, and its plethora of benefits for memory and other brain functions, vision, cardiovascular health, insulin and blood sugar management, and immunity all suggest this is a premier nutrient for overall healthy aging. Astaxanthin provides profound support for cell membrane integrity and the mitochondria's crucial energy production, both of which are core features of the well recognized free radical theory of aging. By protecting membranes and facilitating mitochondrial efficiency, astaxanthin promotes our health and wellbeing at every stage of life.

About Doctor's Best

Doctor's Best produces products with the highest quality raw materials available on the market. They have direct control over and are an integral part of every aspect of product production, from formulation and raw material sourcing to finished product manufacturing. We directly purchase all active ingredients used in our products and use only the highest quality ingredients.

Every product is thoroughly researched and backed by the latest scientific studies conducted in the field. The formulations reflect the amounts of ingredients shown to be beneficial based on the results of scientific investigations. Doctor's Best uses patented, trademarked ingredients backed by scientific studies and clinical research. They never use insignificant quantities to enhance the label.

Doctor's Best directly purchases only the highest grade raw materials from proven and reputable suppliers to be put into product formulations. All raw material suppliers go through their stringent vendor qualification process, which includes a multi-step investigation including all aspects of the production and handling procedures, to insure the highest level of quality is reached.

* [1] Note: Unless otherwise noted, products on our web site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.